According to the researchers, the tea's calming effects are due to mechanisms that activate dopamine D1 receptors and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, both of which are closely related to anxious behaviour.

For the study, participants wore Fitbit to capture health behaviour data such as steps, sleep, heart rate and activity level and completed surveys and self-assessments about their feelings of stress, happiness and positivity.

Researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden have examined how stress levels in dogs are influenced by lifestyle factors and by the people that the dogs live with. They determined stress levels over several months by measuring the concentration of a stress hormone, cortisol, in a few centimetres of hair from the dog and from its owner.

In an experiment with a small group of participants that spanned for three weeks, the group were asked to wake up two-three hours before regular wake up time and maximise outdoor light during the mornings.

The researchers, including one of Indian origin, from the University of Cincinnati, have conducted a new test with a device that uses ultra-violet light to measure common stress hormones using sweat, blood, urine or saliva.

The report further pointed out the reluctance amongst individuals towards getting medical help for stress, with 75% of respondents saying they are not willing to talk to a medical professional about stress.